Clippers keep finding ways to win

The Nanaimo Clippers stymied the Cowichan Valley Capitals two nights in a row to extend their win streak.

The city's B.C. Hockey League club swept a home-and-home series against the Caps, winning 2-1 in double overtime on Friday at Frank Crane Arena and then winning another 2-1 game Saturday in Duncan.

"Our team's pretty good at grinding out wins right now," said Colton Dahlen, who was the overtime hero on Friday.

His goal came on the 55th shot of the night as the Clippers kept steady pressure and seemed to play calm and cool all the way through even though they never led the game.

"Clearly we played a strong defensive game…" said Jayson Argue, Clippers goalie. "It was only a matter of time before we got one to finish it."

The goal came after Reid Sturos won a puck battle behind the Capitals goal and got the puck out to the defenceman Dahlen, left mostly alone in the slot.

The Clips outshot the Caps 10-3 in the two overtime frames. It was the third time already in November that Nanaimo has played overtime.

"Overtimes are starting to get as comfortable as first, second and third periods, almost; we've been playing them so much lately," Argue joked.

The team is understanding what works in four-on-four hockey and three-on-three hockey.

"Simple plays, and you've got to be the team that's on attack, because anything can happen in overtime," Dahlen said.

The Clippers have now won four in a row, six of their last seven, and have earned points in seven straight games. They don't plan to relent.

"We've got to be even better," said Dahlen. "We've got to hold ourself to a standard."

ICE CHIPS … Taylor Grobowski was Nanaimo's other goal scorer on Friday and Argue made 38 saves for the win … On Saturday, Mason Mitchell and Greg Fraser scored goals, then Capitals player Mikael Jung, from Nanaimo, made it a 2-1 game in the final minute of the second period. The Caps peppered the Clips with shots in the third period but Argue held the fort, stopping all 18 shots he faced in that frame. He finished with 26 saves for the win. Argue is the BCHL's Player of the Week after the two wins … The Clippers visit the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Wednesday (Nov. 14) and then play back-to-back home games Friday and Saturday against the Langley Rivermen and Victoria Grizzlies, respectively.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com

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